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Taking aim with CATM Airmen

By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez, 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs / Published August 18, 2011

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Staff Sgt. Roger Scott, 509th Security Forces Squadron combat arms and maintenance instructor, teaches 509th SFS members how to stand while shooting July 28, 2011 for their upcoming M4 Carbine firing qualification. Security force members are required to requalify every six months and must conduct a day and night fire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)
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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Staff Sgt. Roger Scott, 509th Security Forces Squadron combat arms and maintenance instructor, teaches 509th SFS members how to stand while shooting July 28, 2011 for their upcoming M4 Carbine firing qualification. Security force members are required to requalify every six months and must conduct a day and night fire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Senior Airman Vanessa Reedtacla , 509th Security Forces Squadron, shoots at the firing range here July 28, 2011 during M4 Carbine qualification firing. Airmen must shoot 32 of 50 targets to pass proficiently, but 43 of 50 targets are required for Airmen be considered an expert marksman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)
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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Senior Airman Vanessa Reedtacla , 509th Security Forces Squadron, shoots at the firing range here July 28, 2011 during M4 Carbine qualification firing. Airmen must shoot 32 of 50 targets to pass proficiently, but 43 of 50 targets are required for Airmen be considered an expert marksman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Senior Airmen William Peterson and Richard Hovland, 509th Security Forces Squadron combat arms and maintenance instructors, check shooters' training targets prior to a M4 Carbine qualification fire here, July 28, 2011. The CATM instructors are trained to read the targets and inform the shooters if they need to adjust their sights, improve on their breathing or work on other firing fundamentals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)
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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Senior Airmen William Peterson and Richard Hovland, 509th Security Forces Squadron combat arms and maintenance instructors, check shooters' training targets prior to a M4 Carbine qualification fire here, July 28, 2011. The CATM instructors are trained to read the targets and inform the shooters if they need to adjust their sights, improve on their breathing or work on other firing fundamentals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - A member of the 509th Security Forces Squadron loads a magazine for his M4 Carbine here July 28, 2011 during qualification firing. Airmen must shoot 32 of 50 targets to pass proficiently, but 43 of 50 targets are required for Airmen be considered an expert marksman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)
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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - A member of the 509th Security Forces Squadron loads a magazine for his M4 Carbine here July 28, 2011 during qualification firing. Airmen must shoot 32 of 50 targets to pass proficiently, but 43 of 50 targets are required for Airmen be considered an expert marksman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Senior Airman Lawrence Saunders, 509th Security Forces Squadron, adjusts the sights on his M4 Carbine here July 28, 2011 during qualification firing. The members are allowed practice rounds to ensure their weapons are firing straight prior to their qualifying test. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)
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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Senior Airman Lawrence Saunders, 509th Security Forces Squadron, adjusts the sights on his M4 Carbine here July 28, 2011 during qualification firing. The members are allowed practice rounds to ensure their weapons are firing straight prior to their qualifying test. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Members of the 509th Security Forces Squadron check their practice targets alongside combat arms and maintenance instructors here July 28, 2011 to properly sight-in their weapons. The CATM instructors are trained to read the targets and inform the shooters if they need to adjust their sights, improve on their breathing or work on other firing fundamentals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)
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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Members of the 509th Security Forces Squadron check their practice targets alongside combat arms and maintenance instructors here July 28, 2011 to properly sight-in their weapons. The CATM instructors are trained to read the targets and inform the shooters if they need to adjust their sights, improve on their breathing or work on other firing fundamentals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez)

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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The 509th Security Forces Squadron is the largest security force in the Air Force and has the unique job of guarding the B-2 Spirit and the nation's nuclear enterprise.

The 509th SFS maintain current defense skills to protect base assets and follow the Air Force Global Strike Command vision of being an elite, highly disciplined team.
Ensuring all 509th SFS members continue this expertise are the 509th SFS combat arms and maintenance instructors.

"At any given time there are multiple weapon systems employed in the protection of the base resources," said Staff Sgt. Roger Scott, 509th SFS CATM instructor. "We train every one of the Airmen and NCOs posted on those weapons systems to be prepared.

"In the short time I've been with the 509th SFS, I see the unit as a whole takes a lot of pride in what we do," the sergeant added. "Combat Arms is the same way. We give our Airmen the skills they need to do their job."

Three CATM instructors taught semi-annual combat arms training July 28 at the firing range here to a class of 509th SFS members. All together, eight hours of classroom and range training was conducted by the end of the day.

Security Forces members must pass the M16A2 rifle or M4 Carbine Air Force Qualification course, the tactical rifle qualification course and the M9 qualification course. Passing requirements depend on the individuals arming group, which they are put into based on their job.

Maintaining qualifications on their weapon systems allows the SFS to be ready at a moment's notice to defend this nation and its powerful assets.